One-way disc valve

Abstract

A one-way valve for dispensing fluid assures, after the fluid has been dispensed, that any flow of contaminants into the source of the fluid is prevented. The one-way valve has a disc shaped valve body enclosed about the circumferential edge by an elastomeric membrane. Separate passageways conduct the fluid through the valve body with the fluid flowing from one passageway to the other between the circumferential edge and the elastomeric membrane. The valve body has a greater diameter than axial length.

I claim: 
     
       1. A one-way valve comprising a disc shaped valve body for regulating flow of a fluid from a source and having an axis, a diameter and an axial dimension with the diameter being greater than the axial dimension thereof, said valve body having a first end face and a second end face each traversing the axis and a circumferentially extending outer surface extending between the end faces, an expandable elastomeric membrane tightly laterally enclosing the outer surface of said valve body, said valve body having a first outlet passageway and a second outlet passageway therein with said passageways disposed in spaced relation, said first passageway has a first end in said first end face and a second end in said outer surface, said second passageway has a first end in said second end face and a second end in said outer surface, said second ends of said first and second passageways being spaced apart around said outer surface in the circumferential direction by a first angular dimension of less than 180° and by a second angular dimension of more than 180°, said elastomeric membrane being secured to said outer surface of said valve body between said second ends of said first and second passageway within the angular dimension less than 180° so that the membrane expands only between the second ends spaced apart by the angular dimension of more than 180° whereby with the membrane expanded by flow through the first passageway to the second passageway the flow can pass along the angular dimension of more than 180° of the first and second passageways. 
     
     
       2. A one-way disc valve, as set forth in claim 1, including means for effecting the fluid-tight seal between said membrane and said valve body so that flow between the membrane and the valve body cannot pass through the fluid-tight seal. 
     
     
       3. A one-way valve, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said means comprise a housing extending circumferentially around the circumferential surface of said valve body and as part of said housing, extending angularly around said valve body pressing said membrane against said valve body in fluid-sealing contact therewith. 
     
     
       4. A one-way valve, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said part of said housing is located between the second ends of said first and second passageways in the region where the angular dimension therebetween is less than 180°. 
     
     
       5. A one-way valve, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the angular dimension between said second ends of more than 180° is in the range of 200° to 280°. 
     
     
       6. A one-way valve, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said membrane in axial section is generally C-shaped. 
     
     
       7. A one-way valve, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said membrane in axial section is generally C-shaped with a center section and a leg extending from each end of said center section with the center section contacting the circumferentially extending outer surface and each said leg contacting a different one of said first and second end faces, said housing comprises an annular wall encircling said membrane and having an axis extending in the direction of the axial dimension of said valve body, said annular wall having a first end adjacent the first end face of said valve body with a radially inwardly extending flange in bearing contact with one of said legs of said membrane and pressing the one of said legs against said valve body and an annular member fitted within said annular wall and pressing the other of said legs of said membrane against said second end face of said valve body. 
     
     
       8. A one-way valve, as set forth in claim 7, wherein said annular wall has a first circumferentially extending section forming said part of said housing pressing said membrane in fluid tight sealing contact with said valve body, and a second circumferentially extending section spaced radially outwardly from said membrane and forming a closed circumferential space into which said membrane can expand radially outwardly.